How to safely watch the transit of Venus

Monday, June 4, 2012 | 5:38 p.m. CDT

BY
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Yes, it's true. You can damage your eyes by staring at the sun. People need to remember that as they turn to the skies to watch the silhouette of Venus march across the face of the sun Tuesday from the Western Hemisphere. Known as a transit of Venus, this won't happen again until 2117.

Wear special viewing glasses such as solar eclipse glasses. You can buy them online or at your local museum. Alternatively, you can go to a hardware store and get a pair of welder's glasses, but make sure it's number 14 or darker. Or make a pinhole projector with cardboard. Do not watch the transit with regular sunglasses.